Rapid Life-Saving Response to Anti-PD-1 in a Solid Organ Transplant Recipient With Metastatic Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Case Report and Review

Anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) therapy is considered effective in the treatment of metastatic or locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma but the use of these agents in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) is often taken with caution. While anti-tumor effects without graft rejection have been reported, studies have shown high rates of fatal graft rejection with immune checkpoint therapy. In this case report, we present an SOTR patient with life-threatening, acute hypoxic respiratory failure due to rapidly progressive metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with lung and pleural involvement. Modification of their immunosuppressive regimen and treatment with front-line anti-PD-1 inhibitor, pembrolizumab, led to rapid clinical response with near complete resolution of metastatic pulmonary disease and no long-term evidence of graft rejection. Our case report shows that front-line treatment with PD-1 inhibitors can be safely administered in SOTR patients with rapid metastatic disease control.